Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Landy on the number of items being raised during the Order of Business. It would be far more practical if we stuck to one item.

I wish to mention an issue raised by the retailers' group RGDATA. This concerns the report from the Data Commissioner on the use of CCTV footage to prevent crime in retail units. Retailers have now been advised that they cannot share this footage with other retailers. It is a disgrace that this is allowed to happen. Someone is clearly identified as a shoplifter, but the retailer in whose premises it occurs cannot share that information with other retailers, including those in the same centre. That is outrageous, and we need clarification on the matter. If someone produces a knife in a retail unit, can that footage be used? If necessary, we should introduce amending legislation to deal with the issue.We have a situation whereby retailers are required to pay rates, insurance costs, service charges and security charges, and it now appears that they are being asked to pay shoplifters as well. We need the Minister to come before the House to explain what will be done to ensure that legislation is introduced immediately to allow retailers to share information where crimes are being committed. This is a serious issue. Retailers' margins are at an all-time low and it is important that we deal with this issue immediately and do not put it on the long finger. Will the Leader to ask the Minister who deals with data protection to come before the House to outline what amendments he intends to introduce and when?